Time delay relay



P 15, 1959 J. D. STAGGS 2,904,728

T'IME DELAY RELAY Filed June 25, 1956 Jesse D. Staggs,

INVENTOR.

Way/g,

AGENT.

Fig.1.

United States Patent TIME DELAY RELAY Jesse D. Staggs, Burbank, Calif.

Application June 25, 1956, Serial No. 593,441

4 Claims. (Cl. 317-178) The present invention finds particular utility in the field of time delay relays and relates specifically to a time delay relay of a type permitting extended delay in the operating characteristics thereof.

In many instances, it is necessary that devices be controlled in an automatic manner wherein opening and closing of switches, valves, or movement of shafts, or levers must be accomplished with considerable time delay between initial energization and ultimate de-energization thereof. This is particularly true in situations where electrical energy is utilized for initial energization in various types of circuitry. In these situations, it is not unusual to require time delay in the nature of one and a half hours between energization and de-energization and require the use of relatively low voltage operating mechanism that is operable in an axial direction.

Heretofore, time delay relays have required operation of the mechanism thereof in two directions, either longitudinally or in a rotary fashion, with escapement mechanisms controlled by the relay being directly connected thereto. Additionally, any switches or contacts that are otherwise provided for any connection with these heretofore known devices have also been associated with escapement mechanisms.

It is accordingly one important object of the invention to provide a time delay relay that may be used to open or close an electric circuit or circuits during or after a predetermined time interval.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel time delay relay having a relatively few number of components, thus enabling the device to be simple in construction, more reliable in operation, effective in use and economical in manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a time delay relay mechanism employing a plurality of vanes that are disposed in a non-newtonian fluid such as, for example, substances commonly known as bouncing putty, some forms of tar and the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel time delay relay mechanism that is operable through electrical energization thereof, action being in a straight line and by a common access.

Other and further important objects of the invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following detailed specification and claims, accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a isometric view of the time delay relay mechanism of the present invention; and

ice

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the relay mechanism.

With reference to the drawing, the present time delay relay mechanism includes a solenoid arrangement 10, an escapement structure 11, a time delay inducing arrangement 12 and electrical circuits and contacts indicated generally at 13. The solenoid arrangement 10 includes a solenoid case 14, having a cover 15 mounted on one end thereof. The case 14 is adapted to contain a coil 16 having an axial opening 17 therethrough. The case 14 has an axial extension 18 from one end thereof, remote from the cover 15. An armature 20 is positioned with slidable movement in the axial opening 17, this opening also extending through the case extension 18. The extension 18 is provided with a longitudinal slot 21 in which a pin 22 is adapted for movable disposition. The pin 22 is threadably connected to the armature 20 and extends radially therefrom through the slot 21. A compression spring 23 is disposed between the outwardly extending portions of the pin 22 and an end wall 24 of the case 14. The pin 22 serves to prevent rotary movement of the armature and also serves to support one end of the spring 23 to the armature 20 and bias the armature outwardly from the opening 17 in the coil 16, and extension 18.

The armature 20 has an axial bore 25 therein that is provided with helical threads. The bore 25 is adapted to receive a helically threaded shaft 26. It may be seen that movement of the armature 20 relative to the shaft 26 will convert longitudinal or axial movement of the armature to rotary motion of the shaft 26. The shaft 26 extends outwardly from a lower end of the armature 20 and is journalled in an opening 27 in the bracket 28, the upper end of which is connected to the case 14 of the solenoid arrangement 10. A pair of collars 30 and 31 are secured to the shaft 26 by means of setscrews 32 and on each side of the bracket portion 28, thus to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft 26.

The escapement structure 11 consists of a pawl 33 that is secured as at 34 to a lower free end of the shaft 26. The shaft 26 has a reduced diameter extension 35 that is rotatably received in a bore 36 in the lower shaft member 37. Axial movement between the shafts 26 and 37 is provided by means of a pin 38 which extends through the wall of the shaft 37 and is disposed in an annular groove 40 in the reduced diameter portion 35 of the shaft 26. A ratchet wheel 41 is secured by means of a setscrew 42 to the upper end of the lower shaft 37, this wheel has ratchet teeth 43 which cooperate with the pawl 33. Thus the shaft 26 may be rotated in one direction independent of the shaft 37 and in another direction together with the shaft 37.

The time delay inducing arrangement 12 is associated with the shaft 37 and includes a container 44 that may be carried by the bracket 28 by means of a brace arrangement 45. The container 44 has an integral bottom wall 46 and a cover 47, the central area of which supports a boss 48. The shaft 37 is journalled in a bore 50 through the cover 47 and boss 48 and extends into the container 44, the extreme lower end of this shaft 37 being journalled in a bearing 51 connected with the lower wall 36 of the container 44. The boss 48 may also support a. seal 52 which is adapted to surround the shaft 37 A pair of vanes 53 are carried by a web 54 that is connected to the shaft 37 as at 55 and retained thereon by means of a setscrew 56. The vanes 53 are normally positioned adjacent the outer peripheral are of the interior of the container 44-. The container 4 5 is also adapted to contain a quantity of a nonnewtonian fluid such as, for example, bouncing putty, tar or the like.

The electrical circuit and contact arran ement 13 is shown by way of example only with many types of such structures being available for use in connection with the present device. As shown in the typical embodiment hereof, the armature 2% is provided with a reduced diameter shaft 65? which extends upwardly from an upper portion of the armature and threadably engages the armature. The upper end of the shaft 61; is adapted to support a pair of laterally extending arms 61 and 62, that are secured to the shaft, the arms 62 being disposed over a reduced diameter extension of the extension 60 and se cured thereon by means of a collar 63 and setscrew 64. As shown primarily in Fig. l, a pair of upstanding brackets 65 and a second pair of upstanding brackets 66 are secured to the cover member of the solenoid case 14. The brackets 65 and 66 are adapted to rigidly support leaf springs 67 and 68. The leaf spring 68 carries a contact 71. Additional contacts 72 and 73 which are cooperable respectively with the contacts 759 and 71 are positioned on support members 74 which are also carried by the solenoid case cover 15. Each of the leaf springs 67 and. 63 have inwardly extending tabs 75 that are positioned for cooperation with the arms 61 and 52.

As shown in Fig. 2, the contact 71 is connected to a lead 76 which extends to a source of energy, such asa battery 77. The contacts 73 is connected by means of a lead 78 to one side of the solenoid coil 16. The other side of the solenoid coil 16 is connected to the other side of the battery 77 by means of a lead 89. The contact 70 may be connected to a lead 81 while the contact 72 may be connected to a lead 82 which may extend to a suitable point of use for operation of other selected electrical devices.

In operation, upon energization of the device by initial closing of a switch 83 positioned, for example, in the lead 86, and with the contacts 72 and 73 in a closed position, electrical current will be transmitted to the solenoid coil 16 whereby to energize this coil and electromagnetic movement of the armature 2t) in an upward direction as seen in the drawing and into the axial opening 17 of the coil 16. This movement of the armature 2t} will elfect rotary movement of the shaft 26 in a clockwise direction whereby also rotating the pawl 33 in a similar clockwise direction. It is to be noted that this clockwise rotation of the shaft 26 and the pawl 33 will have no effect upon the ratchet wheel 41 or vanes 53. Energization of the coil 16 and movement of the armature 26 thereby will also effect compression of the compression spring 23 whereby to store energy in the compression spring. Furthermore, upward movement of the armature 29. will serve to move the extension member 60 to a position whereby the arms 61 will contact the tabs 75 of the leaf prings 67 and 63 and, in a snap action move the springs 67 and as to the positions shown in the drawings and open the contacts '71-'73 and 7t 72. Openof the contacts "ii and 73 will serve to interrupt the flow of ener y to the solenoid coil 16.

Following de-energization of the solenoid coil 16 and spring 23 serves to bias the armature it} in a downward direction whereby to impart rotary motion to the shaft 26 in a counter-clocl 1wise direction, thus effecting engagement of the ratchet wheel 41 and rotation of the shaft 37 in a counter-clockwise direction. As stated hereinbefore, rotation of the shaft 37 is restricted by disposition of the vanss 53 in the fluid 57 enclosed within the container The high viscosity of the non-newtonian fluid 57 serves to restrict rotary movement of the shaft 37 and vanes 53. i i

As the vanes 53 are moved slowly within the fluid 57, the armature will gradually move downwardly un til the arms 62 contact the tabs 75, again to move the various electrical contacts 7173 and 7il72 into con tact with each other, thus again to close the circuit and prepare the apparatus for a new cycle of operation.

Having thus described the invention and the present embodiment thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a time delay device: a movable member; means to support said member for lonigtudinal movement; means longitudinally to move said member in one direction; means for biasing said member for movement in a direction opposite from said one direction; first shaft means connected with said member; means interconnecting said shaft means of said member for converting longitudinal movement of said member to rotaly movement of said shaft means; second shaft means coextensively positioned relative to said first shaft means; a one-way driving mechanism carried by said first and second shaft means; a container secured against rotation; a fluid in said container; and paddle means connected with said second shaft means and positioned in said fluid, said biasing means acting through said member, said first and second shaft means and said driving mechanism to bias said paddle means in a rotary direction in said fluid whereby to delay movement of said member in said 0pposite direction.

2. Ida time delay device, the combination of: a movable member; means to support said member for longitudinal movement; means longitudinally to move said member in one direction; means for biasing said memher for movement in a direction opposite from said one direction; first shaft means connected with said member; helical thread means interconnecting said shaft means of said member for converting longitudinal movement of said member to rotary movement of said shaft means; second shaft means coextensively positioned relative to said first shaft means; a one-way driving mechanism carried by adjacently disposed ends of said first and second shaft means; a container secured against rotation relative to said means for moving said member in one direction; a fluid in said container; and paddle means connected with said second shaft means and positioned in said fluid, said biasing means acting through said member, said first and second shaft means and said driving mechanism to bias said paddle means in a rotary direction in said fluid whereby to delay movement of said member in said'oppositc direction.

3. A time delay device comprising, in combination: a movable membe; means to support said member for longitudinal movement; electromagnetic means longitudinally to move said member in one direction; means for biasing said member for movement in a direction opposite from said one direction; first shaft means connected with said member; means interconnecting said shaft means of said member for converting longitudinal movement. of said member to rotary movement of said shaft means; second shaft means coextensively positioned relative to said first shaft means; a one-way driving mechanism carried by ends of said first and second shaft means; a container secured against rotation; a high viscosity non-newtonian fluid in said container; and paddle means connected with said second shaft means and positioned in said fluid, said biasing means acting through said member, said first and second shaft means and said driving mechanism to bias said paddle means in a rotary direction in said fluid whereby to delay movement of said member in said opposite direction.

4Q A time delay relay device comprising, in combination: a movable member; means to support said member for longitudinal movement; electromagnetic means longitudinally to move said member in one direction; comtpression spring means for biasing said member for movement in a direction opposite from said one direction; first shaft means connected with said member; helical thread means interconnecting said shaft means of said member for converting longitudinal movement of said member to rotary movement of said shaft means; second shaft means coextensively positioned relative to said first shaft means; a one-way ratchet driving mechanism carried by adjacently disposed ends of said first and second shaft means; a container secured against rotation relative to said means for moving said member in one direction; a high viscosity non-newtonian fluid in said container; and paddle means connected with said second shaft means and positioned in said fluid, said biasing means acting through said member, said first and second shaft means and said driving mechanism to bias said paddle means in a rotary direction in said fluid whereby 6 to delay movement of said member in said opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 727,870 Wolf May 12, 1903 786,696 Vreeland Apr. 4, 1905 792,692 Buell June 20, 1905 1,278,189 Marshall Sept. 10, 1918 1,344,199 Cheney June 22, 1920 1,622,044 Miller et al Mar. 22, 1927 1,787,752 McFarland Jan. 6, 1931 2,110,033 Bostick Mar. 1, 1938 

